Agency Commission in Dubai: What You Pay For

An agency commission in Dubai buys marketing, qualified viewings, negotiation and the paperwork through to transfer. The market norm is 2 percent of the sale price plus VAT on a sale, and 5 percent of the annual rent on a letting.

Neither figure is set by law. Both are conventions, which means both are negotiable, and it also means the service behind them varies considerably between agencies.

What the fee actually covers

Who pays the commission in Dubai?

On a sale it is normally the buyer, which catches out sellers used to other markets. On a letting the landlord normally pays. Whatever the convention, put it in writing before the property is marketed, because a disagreement about it after an offer is accepted is a poor time to discover the assumption was not shared.

Is it worth negotiating?

On a high value property, often. The honest question is what leaves the service when the fee comes down. If professional photography, portal prominence or viewing cover disappear, a lower percentage of a lower price is not a saving.

What to ask before you sign

• Is the agreement exclusive, and for how long?
• Which portals will the property appear on, and in what position?
• Who conducts viewings, and how quickly are enquiries answered?
• What happens to the fee if the buyer comes from my own network?
• Is VAT included in the figure quoted?

Where commission sits among your costs

Commission is one line among several. Our guide to Dubai Land Department fees sets out the transfer costs, and service charges covers the annual owner cost people forget when they work out a net figure.

Selling or letting with TRPE

We will tell you what your property should realistically achieve before you commit to anything. See the selling process, what management covers, or list your property with us.

Market conventions current as of August 2026. Commission is a matter of agreement between you and your agency, so confirm the figure and what it includes in writing.